Billings Bulls
| Billings Bulls | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Billings, Montana |
| League | North American 3 Hockey League |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Home arena | Centennial Ice Arena |
| Colors |
Blue, red, white, and vegas gold |
| Owner(s) | Chris Dunbar |
| Head coach | Michael Richardson |
| Media | Billings Gazette (Greg Rachac) |
| Website | billingsbulls.com |
| Franchise history | |
| 1993 to Present | Billings Bulls |
| Championships | |
| Regular season titles | 5 1993-94, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2002-03, 2003-04 |
| Gold Cup appearances | 5 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2002-03 |
| Borne Cups | 5 (AFHL/AWHL/NAHL) 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 |
| Cascade Cups | 0 (NORPAC) |
The Billings Bulls are a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team currently playing in the North American 3 Hockey League. The Bulls are based in Billings, Montana and play home games at the 550-seat Centennial Ice Arena. Due to the arena's small size, the Bulls frequently sell out games and broadcast their games on internet radio. They previously played their home games in the Metrapark which had a max capacity of 9,000 for hockey games. However, a negotiating dispute with arena officials and local county commissioners resulted in the team losing its lease.
Franchise History
The Bulls joined the American Frontier Hockey League in 1993, the league changed names in 1998 to the America West Hockey League.[1] The Bulls joined the Tier II Jr. A North American Hockey League in 2003 when the AWHL merged with the NAHL. The team played in the NAHL from 2003-2006 until they and rivals Bozeman Icedogs left to join the Northern Pacific Hockey League. When they joined the NORPAC, the league was Tier III Jr. B but has since been sanctioned as a Tier III Jr A league by USA Hockey.
In the March of 2014, the North American 3 Hockey league accepted the AWHL league as new division of the NA3HL. [2]
While in Junior A the Bulls have compiled a 459-216-54 record (as of October 8, 2007). They amassed a 16-28 record while in Junior B.
Previous Leagues
- 1993-1998 American Frontier Hockey League
- 1998-2003 America West Hockey League
- 2003-2006 North American Hockey League
- 2006-2011 Northern Pacific Hockey League
- 2011-2014 American West Hockey League
- 2014-current North American 3 Hockey League
Seasonal Records
| North American 3 Hockey League | |||||||||||
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2014-15 | 47 | 25 | 16 | 6 | 56 | 161 | 140 | 610 | 4th of 7 Frontier Div 16 of 31 NA3HL | Lost Div Semi-final, 0-2 (Americans) | |
Notable alumni
The franchise has developed a number of collegiate and professional players.[3]
- Brandon Polich F (Colorado College)
- Chris Holt, G (University of Nebraska-Omaha, currently with HC Donbass)
- Kevin Ulanski, C (University of Denver, currently with Colorado Eagles)
- Tom Reimann, D (University of Maine, last with Rocky Mountain Rage)
- Dan Knapp, D (University of Nebraska-Omaha, currently with Ontario Reign)
- Jordan Hines, F (University of Findlay, last with Fort Worth Brahmas)
- Trevor Hammer, D (University of North Dakota, last with the Florida Seals)
- Jon Booras, F (Lake Superior State University, currently with Bloomington Prairie Thunder)
- John Sullivan, F (Clarkson University)
- Matt Charbonneau, D (currently with Air Force)
- Martin Husicka, D/F (University of Minnesota)
- Dusty Jackson, F (University of Denver)
- Jon Cook, D (University of Denver)
- Matt Becker, F (Air Force Academy)
- Sean Bertsch, F (Air Force Academy)
- Bryson Rintala, F (Air Force Academy)
- Daniel Chang, F (Johnson & Wales University), currently with
- Ryan Thompson, F(Worchester State), currently with
References
External links
- League (NA3HL) Website
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